Module 9C: The Voltage Comparator (Application: PWM Control via a Reference Voltage)

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1 Explore More! Points awarded: Module 9C: The Voltage Comparator (Application: PWM Control via a Reference Voltage) Name: Net ID: Laboratory Outline A voltage comparator considers two voltage waveforms, A and B, and outputs a binary (two-valued) voltage waveform indicating which is larger (a high voltage for VV oooooo states that A is larger and a low voltage that B is larger, see Figure 1). In this module, we will study the application of the voltage comparator for PWM control via a reference voltage. Inversely-proportional means that as one signal gets larger, the other gets proportionally smaller. In the ECE110 laboratory exercise (Lab 8), you will have learned how to control the duty cycle of a PWM signal using a variable resistor in the feedback portion of an oscillator. This method is somewhat restrictive. Many sensors provide only access to the voltage output of a voltage divider circuit or, like an infrared receiver, a transistor-based voltage proportional (or inverselyproportional) to the received infrared intensity. These types of active sensors will require a different electronic mechanism to produce a sensor-controlled PWM signal than that used in Lab 8. A basic method of implementing PWM control via a reference voltage is made possible by comparing a triangular waveform to a slowing-varying reference voltage from the sensor. Figure 1: A block diagram demonstrating how a triangular waveform might be transformed into a PWM signal controlled by a reference voltage. When the reference voltage, VV rrrrrr, rises, the duty cycle of the PWM signal decreases. Recall: Relaxation oscillator circuit from Lab 5. Prerequisites Laboratory Exercise #5, the construction of a simple oscillator circuit. Explore More! Module: The Voltage-Follower Buffer. (recommended prerequisite) Laboratory Exercise #8, the construction of an oscillator with a selectable duty cycle. Parts Needed The completed oscillator circuit (Lab#5) (1) LM358 Op Amps and (1) LM311 Voltage Comparator (2 per IC) (optionally, (2) LM358 Operational Amplifier) Trimpot 10 kkω with knob (may be substituted with another trimpot value is non-critical) Recall: A method to use (variable) resistance to control PWM duty cycle from Lab 8.

2 At Home: Construction Create a triangular waveform generator by following the procedures for the Explore More! Module: The Voltage- Follower Buffer. That module may be submitted to your TA for separate module credit. When finished with that module, continue with the procedure here. Use the datasheet to add the schematic symbols for power and ground to the pinout below of the LM358 or LM311 used in the comparator circuit. We will use a 5- or 6-volt supply and ground the negative supply pin. What is the range of acceptable supply voltages? The simple oscillator circuit waveforms from Lab 5. A voltage follower used for signal conditioning from the Explore More! Module: The Voltage-Follower Buffer. On the physical pinout diagram above, add the circuit-schematic symbols of the components used to construct the circuit buffer of Figure 2.

3 Construct the voltage comparator circuit as shown in the figure below. The trimpot (10 kkω) is not part of the voltage comparator, but is rather used to provide a controllable reference voltage. It may be substituted with another trimpot. (a) (b) Figure 2: Configuration of a comparator test circuit based on (a) the LM311 comparator or (b) the LM358 op amp. For the LM311-based circuit, the output pin is an open collector that should be biased towards VV CCCC using a so-called pullup resistor (shown in the figure to be 10 kkω). While the LM358 is readily available from your kit, the LM311 comparator chip offers faster response time and a larger output voltage range, the latter of which may be beneficial in this application. NOTE: If using the LM358, you may need to buffer the output using two consecutive Schmitt-trigger inverters (like in Lab #8). Construct the PWM circuit as shown in the figure below, where the node voltage VV 4 will control the duty cycle of VV 5. Figure 3: The final PWM circuit controlled by a reference voltage (assuming the LM311 was used).

4 In the Laboratory: Analysis With the circuit completed as in Figure 3, adjust the voltage output of the potentiometer-based voltage divider while simultaneously monitoring the three waveforms VV 3, VV 4, and VV 5 on the oscilloscope. Describe what you see as the potentiometer (trimpot) is adjusted. Be sure to note the range of VV 4 that results in changes to the duty cycle of VV 5. Think how VV 3 appears different that the representation of Figure 4. Figure 4: Comparison of the inputs and output of a voltage comparator circuit used for PWM control. Produce a graph including all three plots for a duty-cycle near 30% and attach it to this report. Back at Home: Drawing Conclusions You should have noticed that this implementation of the triangular waveform is not ideal. Our triangular waveform is a scaled and offset version of that plotted in Figure 4. The triangular waveform of Figure 4 goes from 0 V to nearly the full supply voltage of 5 V.

5 Discuss why the VV 3 waveform of Figure 4 would be a better triangular waveform than ours when the reference voltage varies from 0 to 5 V. Learning Objectives To properly bias a voltage comparator based on either an LM358 Op Amp or a LM311 Voltage Comparator chip. To create a PWM waveform that is controlled by a reference voltage using the voltage comparator circuit. To gain experience in using the oscilloscope to assess a circuit while making and recording time-varying voltage waveforms. Learn More! In Explore More!: The Amplifier, we will learn to convert the triangular waveform of the relaxation oscillator into a full-range waveform similar to that in Figure 4. In Explore More!: PWM Control via an Active Sensor, we will amend this method using the circuital tools learned in other lab modules to make the sensor-controlled PWM signal more robust. Note: Robust is a term often used very loosely in engineering. It most often refers to a system that is insensitive to deviations in parameters or outside forces.